Additional Name(s): Seymur Afqan oglu Mammadov

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Azerbaijan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 1 Year's Suspended Sentence

Sentence: Originally 9 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/22/2022

Date of Sentencing: September/22/2022

Date of Release: December/12/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service

Seymur Mammadov

Extra Bio Info:

Seymur Mammadov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.

On September 22, 2022, the Goranboy District Court sentenced Mammadov to nine months in prison for "evasion without the lawful grounds from next appeal on military service or from an appeal on mobilization, with a purpose of evasion from serving in military" (Art. 321.1 ACC). Mammadov had refused to serve in the military after being summoned for military duty in May 2022. Mammadov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On December 12, 2022, an appeals court overturned Mammadov's imprisonment and instead imposed a one year suspended sentence. He was released following the verdict.

Additional Name(s): Sepehr Ziyaei, سپهر ضیائی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Sepehr Ziaee

Extra Bio Info:

Sepehr Ziaee is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 24, 2022, authorities in Tehran arrested Ziaee reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i.

In January 2023, it was reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ziaee to five years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).

In March 2023, it was reported that Ziaee's sentence had been upheld. 

Ziaee's health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison. His hearing capabilities have diminished following a medical issue with his ear. Reports indicate he was partially treated for the issue but that treatment ended prematurely. 

Additional Name(s): پیام ولی

Gender: Male

Current Location: Qezalhasar Prison, Karaj

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 16 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition

Payam Vali

Extra Bio Info:

Payam Vali is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On September 24, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Vali reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. Security officers reportedly beat him during the arrest as well as his son.

In December 2022, it was reported that authorities had accused Vali of "propaganda against the system through the propagation of the Baha'i faith, propaganda against the holy Islamic law, communication and cooperation with foreign media through interviews and sending news of human rights violations and inciting people to create ongoing protests through the virtual space." Accusations are reportedly in relation to Vali's communications about Baha'i persecution. Vali has also reportedly been denied phone calls to his family and access to a lawyer.

In February 2023, it was reported that the Alborz Revolutionary Court had sentenced to ten years in prison for “collaboration with hostile countries,” five years for “inciting people to commit violence,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also reportedly imposed a two-year travel ban and two years of exile in Yasuj county.

On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals reduced Vali's sentence to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Vali is expected to serve six years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

In July 2023, it was reported that the Karaj Revolutionary Court had accused Vali of “spreading falsehood on the Internet through the dissemination of unlawful content.”

Publicly Available Information: